CMS Updates Wage Index and Payment Rates for Medicare Hospice Benefit

WASHINGTON—On April 30, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule (CMS-1629-P) that would update fiscal year (FY) 2016 Medicare payment rates and the wage index for hospices serving Medicare beneficiaries. The proposed hospice payment rule reflects the ongoing efforts of CMS to support beneficiary access to hospice care. The FY 2016 proposals and other issues discussed in the proposed rule are summarized below.